Dietary L-arginine supplementation reduces Methotrexate-induced intestinal mucosal injury in rat

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Arginine (ARG) and nitric oxide maintain the mucosal integrity of the intestine in various intestinal disorders. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of oral ARG supplementation on intestinal structural changes, enterocyte proliferation and apoptosis following methotrexate (MTX)-induced intestinal damage in a rat.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Male rats were divided into four experimental groups: Control rats, CONTR-ARG rats, were treated with oral ARG given in drinking water 72 hours before and 72 hours following vehicle injection, MTX rats were treated with a single dose of methotrexate, and MTX-ARG rats were treated with oral ARG following injection of MTX. Intestinal mucosal damage, mucosal structural changes, enterocyte proliferation and enterocyte apoptosis were determined 72 hours following MTX injection. RT-PCR was used to determine bax and bcl-2 mRNA expression.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>MTX-ARG rats demonstrated greater jejunal and ileal bowel weight, greater ileal mucosal weight, greater ileal mucosal DNA and protein levels, greater villus height in jejunum and ileum and crypt depth in ileum, compared to MTX animals. A significant decrease in enterocyte apoptosis in the ileum of MTX-ARG rats (vs MTX) was accompanied by decreased bax mRNA and protein expression and increased bcl-2 protein levels.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Treatment with oral ARG prevents mucosal injury and improves intestinal recovery following MTX- injury in the rat.</p

Structure Determination of Two Modulated gamma-Brass Structures in the Zn-Pd System through a (3+1)-Dimensional Space Description

The structure determination of two composite compounds in the Zn-Pd system with close relationships to the cubic gamma-brass structure Zn(11-delta)Pd(2+delta) is reported. Their structures have been solved from single crystal X-ray diffraction data within a (3 + 1)-dimensional [(3 + 1)D] formalism. Zn(75.7(7))Pd(24.3) and Zn(78.8(7))Pd(21.2) crystallize with orthorhombic symmetry, superspace group Xmmm(00gamma)0s0 (X = [(1/2,1/2,0,0); (0,1/2,1/2,1/2); (1/2,0,1/2,1/2)]), with the following lattice parameters, respectively: a(s) = 12.929(3) A, b(s) = 9.112(4) A, c(s) = 2.5631(7) A, q = 8/13 c* and V(s) = 302.1(3) A(3) and a(s) = 12.909(3) A, b(s) = 9.115(3) A, c(s) = 2.6052(6) A, q = 11/18 c* and V(s) = 306.4(2) A(3). Their structures may be considered as commensurate because they can be refined in the conventional 3D space groups (Cmce and Cmcm, respectively) using supercells, but they also refined within the (3 + 1)D formalism to residual factors R = 3.14% for 139 parameters and 1184 independent reflections for Zn(75.7(7))Pd(24.3) and R = 3.16% for 175 parameters and 1804 independent reflections for Zn(78.8(7))Pd(21.2). The use of the (3 + 1)D formalism improves the results of the refinement and leads to a better understanding of the complexity of the atomic arrangement through the various modulations (occupation waves and displacive waves). Our refinements emphasize a unique Pd/Zn occupancy modulation at the center of distorted icosahedra, a modulation which correlates with the distortion of these polyhedra

Relation of C358A polymorphism of the endocannabinoid degrading enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) with obesity and insulin resistance Relación del polimorfismo C358A del enzima del sistema endocanabinoide (hidrolasa amida acida) con la obesidad y la resistencia a la insulina

Background and aims: Recently, it has been demonstrated that the polymorphism 385 C->A of FAAH (fatty acid amide hydrolase) was associated with overweight and obesity. The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship of missense polymorphism (cDNA 385 C-A) of FAAH gene on obesity anthropometric parameters, cardiovascular risk factors and adipocytokines. Methods: A population of 279 females with obesity (body mass index 30) was analyzed. An indirect calorimetry, tetrapolar electrical bioimpedance, blood pressure, a serial assessment of nutritional intake with 3 days written food records and biochemical analysis (lipid profile, adipocytokines, insulin, CRP and lipoprotein-a) were performed. The statistical analysis was performed for the combined C385A and A385A as a group and wild type C385C as second group. Results: One hundred and ninety four patients (69.5%) had the genotype C385C (wild type group) and 76 (27.2%) patients had the genotype C358A or A358A (9 patients, 3.2%) (mutant type group). No differences were detected between groups in anthropometric parameters and dietary intakes. Triglycerides (118.9 &plusmn; 59.9 mg/dl vs 107.4 + 51.3 mg/dl;p Antecedentes y objetivos: Recientemente, se ha demostrado que el polimorfismo 385 C/A, de FAAH (hidrolasa amida de ácidos grasos) se asocia con el sobrepeso y la obesidad. El objetivo de nuestro estudio fue investigar la relación de este polimorfismo del gen de FAAH con parámetros antropométricos, factores de riesgo cardiovascular y adipocitoquinas. Métodos: Una población de 279 mujeres con obesidad (índice de masa corporal> 30) fue analizada. Se realizaron las siguientes determinaciones; calorimetría indirecta, bioimpedancia eléctrica, presión arterial, una evaluación de la ingesta nutricional de 3 días, así como un análisis bioquímico (perfil lipídico, adipocitoquinas, insulina, proteina C reactiva y lipoproteína-(a)). El análisis estadístico se realizó combinando C385A y A385A como grupo mutante y C385C como grupo salvaje. Resultados: Un total de 194 pacientes (69,5%) tenían el genotipo C385C (genotipo salvaje) y 76 (27,2%) pacientes tenían el genotipo C358A y 9 pacientes (3,2%) el genotipo A358A, formando estos dos el grupo de genotipo mutante. No se detectaron diferencias entre los grupos en los parámetros antropométricos y la ingesta dietética. Sin embargo los pacientes con genotipo salvaje presentaron valores más elevado de triglicéridos (118,9 &plusmn; 59,9 mg/dl vs 107,4 + 51,3 mg/dl; p < 0,05), glucosa (100,4 &plusmn; 19,9 mg/dl vs 94,8 + 11,5mg/dl; p < 0,05), HOMA (3,74 &plusmn; 2,2 vs 3,39 + 2,7; p < 0,05) y de interleukina-6 (3,3 &plusmn; 1,4 pg/ml vs 1,4 &plusmn; 2,1 pg/ml; p < 0,05) fueron mayores en el grupo de tipo salvaje que el grupo de tipo mutante. Conclusión: El principal hallazgo de este trabajo es la asociación del genotipo mutante (A358C y A358A) de FAAH con un mejor perfil cardiovascular (triglicéridos, glucosa, interleucina 6 y HOMA) que los pacientes portadores del genotipo salvaje

Effect of two different hypocaloric diets in transaminases and insulin resistance in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and obese patients Efecto de dos dietas hipocalóricas en los niveles de transaminasas y resistencia a la insulina en pacientes obesos con hígado graso no alcohólico

Objective: The aim of our study was to examine the changes in hypertransaminasemia after weight reduction in obese patients with and without NAFLD and the relation with insulin resistance. Research Methods: A population of 162 obese patients was randomly allocated to two groups: a) diet I (low fat) and b) diet II (low carbohydrate), dieting along 3 months. Patients were classified as group I (n=112) when serum ALT activity was normal or group II (NAFLD, n=30) when serum ALT activity was ( > or = 43 UI/L). Results: In control group with diet I, BMI, weight, fat mass, waist to hip ratio, waist circumference, systolic pressure, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HOMA and insulin levels decreased. In NAFLD group with diet I improved the same parameters and glucose, triglycerides, ALT, AST, gamaglutamine transferase levels, too. In control group with diet II, BMI, weight, fat mass, waist to hip ratio, waist circumference, systolic pressure, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HOMA and insulin levels decreased. In NAFLD group with diet II improved the same parameters and glucose, triglycerides, ALT and gamaglutamine transferase levels, without statistical changes in AST. Conclusion: We showed that weight reduction secondary to two hypocaloric diets was associated with improvement in hipertransaminasemia and insulin resistance in NAFLD patients.Objetivo: El objetivo de nuestro trabajo fue evaluar los cambios en las transaminasas tras la perdida de peso en pacientes obesos con y sin esteatohepatitis no alcohólica (EHNA) y su relación con la resistencia a la insulina. Material y métodos: Se aleatorizó una muestra de 162 pacientes obesos en dos grupos: a) dieta I (baja en grasa) y b) dieta II (baja en hidratos de carbono), siguiendo al dieta durante 3 meses. Los pacientes se clasificaron como grupo I (n=112), con unos niveles de ALT normales y grupo II (EHNA, n=30) con unos niveles de ALT superiores a 43 UI/L. Resultados: En el grupo I con la dieta I disminuyó el IMC, peso, masa grasa, índice cintura cadera, circunferencia cintura, presión sistólica, colesterol LDL, colesterol total, HOMA e insulina. En el grupo NASH con la dieta I disminuyeron los mismos parámetros además de la glucosa, triglicéridos, ALT, AST y gamaGT. En el grupo control con la dieta II disminuyó el IMC, peso, masa grasa, índice cintura cadera, circunferencia de la cintura, presión sistólica, colesterol total, LDL colesterol, HOMA e insulina. En el grupo NASH con la dieta II disminuyeron los mismos parámetros junto a la glucosa, triglicéridos, ALT y gama GT sin cambios en os niveles de ALST. Conclusión: La perdida de peso con dos dietas hipocalÓricas diferentes mejora los niveles de tranasminasas y la resistencia a la insulina en pacientes con NASH

Double blind randomized clinical trial controlled by placebo with a FOS enriched cookie on saciety and cardiovascular risk factors in obese patients

Introduction: It is essential to determine which snack foods are most affective for appetite control. The objective of the current study was to assess the responses of two different cookies on satiety and cardiovascular risk factors. Material and Methods: 38 patients were randomized: group I (FOS enriched cookie, n=19) and group II (control cookie, n=19). Previous and after 1 month , the subjects rated their feelings of satiety/hunger with a test meal of 5 cookies. Results: After the test meal, the basal area under curve of the first hunger/satiety score was higher with satiety cookie than with control cookie, the data after 1 month of treatment was higher with satiety cookie than with control cookie, too. The score was higher than the fasting level for 20 minutes with satiety cookie and for 40 minutes with the same cookie, too. In satiety group, these scores (20 min and 40 min) were higher than control group before and after 1 month of treatment. The results were in the same way with the 100 mm 5-point visual satiety scale. Cardiovascular risk factors and dietary intake remained unchanged after dietary intervention. Conclusion: A FOS enriched cookie produced greater ratings of satiety than a control cookie, without effects on cardiovascular risk factors or dietary intakes

Circulating adipocytokines in morbid obese patients, relation with cardiovascular risk factors and anthropometric parameters Adipocitoquinas circulantes en obesos mórbidos, relación con factores de riesgo cardiovascular y parámetros antropométricos

Background: Obesity and insulin resistance are associated with cardiovascular risk factors, including adipocytokines. The aim of the present study was to explore the relation of circulating adipocytokines with cardiovascular risk and anthropometric parameters in morbid obese patients. Subjects: A population of 65 morbid obese patients was analyzed in a prospective way. A biochemical, anthropometric and dietary evaluation was realized. Results: In the multivariate analysis with resistin as dependent variable, the BMI remained in the model (F = 16.6; p Antecedentes: La obesidad y resistencia a la insulina se asocia con factores de riesgo cardiovascular, incluyendo adipocitoquinas. El objetivo del presente estudio fue explorar la relación de circulante adipocitoquinas con los p factores de riesgo cardiovascular y los parámetros antropométricos en pacientes obesos mórbidos. Pacientes: Una muestra de 65 pacientes obesos mórbidos se analizo de manera prospectiva. Se realizó a todos una bioquímica, estudio antropométrico y una evaluación dietética. Resultados: En el análisis multivariado con resistina como variable dependiente, el IMC se mantuvo en el modelo (F = 16,6, p < 0,05), con un aumento de 0,23 (IC 95%: 0,06-0,41) ng/ml con cada punto de índice de masa corporal. En un segundo modelo con la adiponectina como variable dependiente, la edad se mantuvo en el modelo (F = 4,46, p < 0,05), con un aumento de 3,62 (IC 95%: 0,05-7,21) ng/ml, con cada año. En el tercer modelo con la interleucina 6 como variable dependiente, el HOMA, la PCR y el peso se mantuvieron en el modelo (F = 8,8; p < 0,01), con un aumento de 0,26 (IC 95%: 0,05-0,47) pg/ml, con cada punto de HOMA, un aumento de 0,43 (IC 95%: 0,10-0,76) pg / ml con cada 1 mg/dl de PCR y un aumento de 0,13 (IC 95%: 0,05-0,21) pg/ml con cada kg de peso. En el cuarto modelo con TNF-alfa como variable dependiente; resistina, IL-6 y el peso se mantuvieron en el modelo (F = 5,2, p < 0,01), con un aumento de 1,49 (IC 95%: 0,46-2,53) pg/ml con cada punto de resistina, un aumento de 1,20 (IC 95%: 0,38-2,10) pg/ml con cada 1 pg/dl de IL-6 y un aumento de 0,27 (IC 95%: 0,04-0,51) pg/ml con cada kg de peso. En el quinto modelo con la leptina como variable dependiente, el IMC y el TNF-alfa se mantuvieron en el modelo (F = 4,1, p < 0,01), con un aumento de 10,35 (IC 95%: 4,10-21,12) ng/ml con cada punto de índice de masa corporal y una disminución de 10,16 (IC 95%: -20,37-0,76) pg/ml con cada 1 pg/dl de TNF-alfa. Conclusión: Las concentraciones circulantes adipocitoquina están asociadas con diferentes factores de riesgo cardiovascular y variables antropométricas en pacientes obesos mórbidos

Relación del polimorfismo -55CT del gen UCP3 con la pérdida de peso y los cambios metabólicos tras una dieta hipocalórica rica en ácidos grasos poliinsaturados en pacientes obesos Relation of -55CT polymorphism of UCP3 gene with weight loss and metabolic changes after a high polyunsaturated fat diet in obese patients

Antecedentes y objetivos: La alteración en la expresión de las proteinas UCP3 podrían reducir el gasto energético y aumentar el almacenamiento de energía en forma de grasa. El objetivo de nuestro estudio fue investigar la influencia del polimorfismo -55CT del gen UCP3 en la respuesta metabólica, pérdida de peso y los niveles séricos de adipocitoquinas tras una dieta hipocalórica rica en grasas poliinsaturadas en pacientes obesos. Diseño: Se estudió una muestra de 133 pacientes obesos de forma prospectiva durante 3 meses. La dieta hipocalórica tenía 1.459 kcal, un 45,7% de hidratos de carbono, un 34,4% de los lípidos y un 19,9% de las proteínas. La distribución de las grasas era; un 21,8% de grasas saturadas, un 55,5% de grasas monoinsaturadas y un 22,7% de las grasas poliinsaturadas (7 g por día de ácidos graso w6, 2 g por díia de w-3 y una ratio w6/w3 de 3,5). Resultados: Un total de 100 pacientes (28 varones/72 mujeres) (75,2%) tenían el genotipo -55CC (grupo con genotipo salvaje) y 33 pacientes (8 varones/25 mujeres) (24,8%) el genotipo -55CT (grupo con genotipo mutante). En el grupo con genotipo salvaje disminuyeron el índice de masa corporal (-2,5 ± 5,3 kg/m²), peso (-4,2 ± 3,7 kg), masa grasa (-3,7 ± 3,3 kg), circunferencia de la cintura (-4,1 ± 2,9 cm), tensión arterial sistólica (-4,9 ± 10,1 mmHg), niveles de colesterol total (-16,1 ± 23,6 mg/dl), colesterol LDL (-11,1 ± 26,8 mg/dl), triglicéridos (-12,0 ± 46,8 mg/dl), insulina (-1,8 ± 4,5 UI/L), HOMA-R (-0,6 ± 1,5) y leptina (-6,2 ± 8,4 ng/ml). En el grupo con genotipo mutante disminuyeron significativamente los parámetros antropométricos sin modificaciones significativas de parámetros bioquímicos. Conclusión: Los pacientes portadores del alelo T del polimorfismo -55CT del gen UCP3, presentan una ausencia respuesta metabólica ante la perdida de peso inducida por una dieta hipocalórica rica en ácidos grasos poliinsaturados.Background and objectives: The alteration in the protein expression of UCP3 could reduce energy consumption and increase energy storage as fat. The aim of our study was to investigate the influence of -55CT polymorphism of UCP3 gene in the metabolic response, weight loss and serum levels of adipokines following a hypocaloric diet rich in polyunsaturated fat in obese patients. Design: A sample of 133 obese patients were analyzed prospectively for 3 months. The hypocaloric diet was 1459 kcal, 45.7% carbohydrate, 34.4% from 19.9% lipids and proteins. The fat distribution was, a 21.8% saturated fat, 55.5% monounsaturated and 22.7% of polyunsaturated fat (7 g per day of fatty acids w6, 2 g per day of w -3 and a ratio w6/w3 of 3.5). Results: A total of 100 patients (28 males/72 females) (75.2%) had genotype - 55CC (wild genotype group) and 33 patients (8 males/25 females) (24.8%) -55CT genotype (group mutant genotype). In the wild genotype, body mass index (-2.5 ± 5.3 kg/m²), weight (-4.2 ± 3.7 kg), fat mass (-3,7 ± 3.3 kg), waist circumference (-4.1 ± 2.9 cm), systolic blood pressure (-4.9 ± 10.1 mmHg), total cholesterol levels (- 16.1 ± 23.6 mg / dl), LDL cholesterol (-11.1 ± 26.8 mg/dl), triglycerides (-12.0 ± 46.8 mg/dl), insulin (-1.8 ± 4.5 IU/L), HOMA-R (-0.6 ± 1.5) and leptin (-6.2 ± 8.4 ng/ml) decreased. In the mutant genotype anthropome-tric parameters were significantly decreased without significant changes in biochemical parameters. Conclusion: The T allele carriers of -55CT UCP3 polymorphism exhibit no metabolic response to weight loss induced by a hypocaloric diet rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids